Ambios is a not-for-profit nature conservation training organisation based in South Devon. Since 2012 we have been tenants of land on the Sharpham Estate, in the Dart Valley, South Devon AONB.
In April 2020 we took a big step in taking on an additional 50 acres of pasture on the Sharpham estate in South Devon with the vision of rewilding it.
The land is part of an 18th century parkland landscape and is a busy recreational venue with extensive public access and broad ranging stakeholder interest. This new venture provides a unique opportunity to share rewilding with a large and diverse audience; a core motivation of both Ambios and our landlords The Sharpham Trust. The commitment to rewilding is strengthened by a drive to demonstrate a working model based on social-enterprise approach and as a tenant farmer rather than a landowner.
We have two complementary strategies for restoring this part of the Estate. In 2020, the Sharpham Trust secured a Heritage Lottery Fund grant for developing rewilding education and outreach programmes over a period of 3 years – this project is known as ‘Sharpham Wild For People’. Then in 2021, we entered into a 5 year Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship agreement which supports us in the recovery of the countryside for future generations.
Over the past 4 years reduced grazing and minimal active management has seen nature begin to recover. Baseline ecological surveys on key groups including vegetation, breeding birds, butterflies, and much more, were conducted at the project’s start to understand the land in its initial state. Continued monitoring by Ambios nature conservation trainees since 2021 has allowed us to document the ecological benefits of rewilding so far. The poster to the right shows data on the changes recorded between 2021 – 2023.
Our project is well underway and the benefits of the rewilding process should continue for generations.
We have a long-term vision to rewild the land surrounding the River Dart estuary, in partnership with our local neighbours and landowners, to restore missing wildlife and connect valuable habitats. In the meantime, there’s so much more we plan to do, with the support of our trainees and volunteers, starting with:
Ambios Ltd is a UK registered not-for-profit company limited by guarantee – meaning it can only spend its income on helping people achieve their goals for nature/science/education and supporting organisations in achieving their objectives for wildlife/conservation/biodiversity.
Companies House Registration Number: 4185277
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